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“Could you please assist our Kalia Marquis family alongside Siabel?”

At the request of the eldest daughter of the Marquis family, Shione and Diolia found themselves momentarily at a loss for words.

There had been shocking revelations thus far, and if they were to help, what exactly were they being asked to assist with?

Surely, no matter how close one might have been with demons, did she mean to say that we—who bore the name of the Count—should wholeheartedly help Eunice Kalia execute her direct bloodline?

Amid the many deep thoughts swirling in their minds, the first to respond to Eunice was not a loyal knight nor the Count’s second daughter.

“I would like to inquire what exactly you mean by Princess Shione assisting the Kalia Marquis family.”

I was staring at Eunice with a stoic expression, my emotions locked away.

As she lifted her head from the dejected position, I withdrew my intent to make a reprimand.

“I have heard about the military rights and Immediate Judgement Authority. The Count’s Siabel Shianella mentioned her dispatch to the Marquis family regarding that matter.”

“That’s correct.”

“If Lady Kalia’s statements are true, then the military rights and Immediate Judgement Authority have indeed passed to Siabel. There is no doubt that Lady Siabel will seek Immediate Judgement against Allen Kalia, who has been colluding with demons.”

“…”

“Then, punishing those who have sullied the Marquis family’s reputation by allying with demons should be sufficient with the cooperation of Lady Siabel, shouldn’t it?”

This was the crux of my argument.

It was clear that I had discovered Allen’s ties with the demons. Having gathered enough evidence while investigating, it should suffice for that genius knight, Siabel, just to apprehend Allen.

What was the need to involve me and Shione, who had already endured so much harder work? I only wanted to avoid troublesome tasks for at least a month or two.

“However, even so, to say that Princess Shione’s cooperation is needed… I wish to understand the intent behind such a statement.”

I hoped that they wouldn’t drag us into something that could be dealt with at the level of Lady Siabel.

Moreover, if they wanted to request help, wouldn’t it be better to explain the reasons in detail rather than bowing down suddenly?

I wondered if my question was sufficient, as Diolia nodded in agreement, adding her support.

“Perhaps it’s presumptuous of me, but like Ray said, I would also like to hear the reasons before seriously considering your request.”

Diolia was no knight to be disregarded.

She didn’t show any signs of being intimidated as she stood before the Marquis family’s direct line.

“Lady Siabel is, more than we expected, a meticulous noble and a steadfast knight. She has victories not only over those believing in the Cult but also against demons. Merely punishing the enemy would surely suffice for Lady Siabel.”

Yes, that made sense.

Even if I returned to the Marquis and joined Siabel, it would be far better to step back a bit from the center of such matters. Given how much I had already endured, it was time for some rest.

Eunice Kalia closed her eyes for a moment after hearing the words from Diolia and me. It wasn’t long before she re-opened her keen eyes and continued.

“To say that everything is for the sake of a righteous cause… would be the best way to put it.”

“A righteous cause, you say?”

“Yes, both families… notably, we’ve received a sketch that can prevent any blemish on the Kalia Marquis family’s reputation as much as possible.”

Her voice began to pulse with a fervent heat.

“If this hand is utilized well, Count Shianella can become a glorious family, never defeated in the war against demons even in this century. If my blood relative falls prey to the demons’ honeyed words, our family will be one that never forgives, thus mending our image.”

As Shione Shianella absorbed this passionate portrayal, it was as if she could see Ainel, who had been troubled over approval documents in her office just moments ago.

Like my mother, our master tapped her thigh with a finger and spoke.

“May I hear about this sketch you’ve mentioned?”

Eunice, quietly nodding, seemed to hold back to build anticipation.

I thought it odd how she was creating such an atmosphere.

“The Grand Elder of the Great Forest has let me borrow the head of the Ianette family, who has lost all power as both a head and an elder.”

…What? Edelin just handed that traitorous elf to Eunice?

I had crippled that cursed orange-haired traitor during the Great Trial, but I knew I hadn’t killed him; he had been taken somewhere and imprisoned. To see that elf showing up at this moment was unexpected.

Despite everything, to pass the head of the most powerful family in the past like this was astonishing.

As this unexpected figure intruded into the conversation, we found ourselves thrown into chaos once more.

“The Grand Elder mentioned that my brother, Allen Kalia, has been introduced to demons by none other than the head of the Ianette family.”

“Ah.”

“And so, she suggested that it would be wise to resolve the issue surrounding Allen as soon as possible, even if it may tarnish the reputation of the Great Forest and the elves, but expressed that it would be preferable to venture into something new instead.”

Seeing our reaction, Eunice finally started to show a soft smile.

“I thought that using a more profound cause and opportunity would benefit us all, including my family.”

“Then what is that cause—”

“Yes, if only Lady Siabel can act alone, it could easily appear as if the Count’s house seized military rights on a whim and executed Allen among the populace.”

Even with the oath of the ancestors drawing in the Count’s house, there would still be those who didn’t know of the oath.

They might see the new head of the Count’s house suddenly commanding the forces of the border protector, Kalia Marquis family, to kill Allen.

Rumors had a way of becoming more sensational and distorted, so it wouldn’t hurt to be cautious.

Moreover—

“And why, until now, has the direct line failed to discover the contracts with the demons? Why was there such neglect until the knights fell this low? And how will we explain the turmoil that has enveloped our territory?”

This wasn’t just any kingdom; in the Aisiliah Kingdom itself, the direct bloodline had done something that shouldn’t have been done. The ramifications were clear to see.

“It would be wise to minimize the damage we might encounter as best we can.”

Eunice Kalia wanted to evade such dishonor.

After all, she would soon inherit that family, and it was only natural for her to want to receive it in the best condition possible.

“In the picture I envisioned, the Count emerges as a victorious hero from the Great Forest, while the Marquis can’t turn a blind eye to assist.”

“The Marquis will be seen as a valiant warrior who bravely punishes even those of its own family who have succumbed to the whispers of fallen elves.”

“In order to realize the vision I have drawn, you, the foremost bow of the kingdom, Princess Shione, must track down Allen and his aides decisively, serving as a hero who alerts us to danger—”

For some reason, the more Eunice Kalia continued her narrative, the more I felt an unsettling sense of something going wrong.

“As for the truthful knight Ray, I hope he can actively confront Allen as a knight standing against him—”

…What?

In that instant, I had no choice but to doubt my ears.

A ‘truthful knight’ what? To take the lead against that despicable Allen more proactively than any other?

It was utterly absurd. One avoids excrement because it is filthy, and that excrement was, without a doubt, Allen Kalia. I had no desire to become entangled with him.

I still couldn’t forget the loathsome sight of him, which no one could possibly compare with even Bron, so why would I have to engage in such a task?

“I will again ask for your favor.”

Shione and Diolia remained calm throughout the exchange, while I, amidst this chaos, was filled with confusion.

“Please, could you save our Kalia Marquis family?”

Eunice’s final plea.

I believed that Shione would reject her request, but taking a glance at Shione’s expression left me feeling utterly despondent.

‘Ah—’

Her tightly closed lips.

A perfectly blank expression devoid of any emotion.

Yet, in the depths of Shione’s green eyes, there flickered something fiery—that was passion. And expectation.

I could but stew in frustrations inwardly.

 

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